Shoe insert

ABSTRACT

An insert adapted to be inserted into a shoe and provide support to an upper surface of the shoe so as to prevent the upper surface from deforming. The insert is made of a unitary body made of a flat and flexible material. The unitary body includes: (1) a forefoot portion; (2) a rearfoot portion extending from the forefoot portion; (3) a continuous peripheral wall about the unitary body; (4) an upper surface; and (5) a bottom surface opposing the upper surface.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a footwear insert, particularly a lightweight and flexible shoe tree assembly.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, wooden or other stiff shoe trees are inserted into shoesto help preserve a shoe's shape, specifically the shape of the upper.The shoe trees help prevent the upper from deforming due to externalforces. Due to the stiff material these shoe trees are comprised of, theshoe trees are also heavy in weight. As many individuals pack shoes inluggage for travel, these conventional shoe trees add weight to theluggage which conflicts with the airline weight requirements forluggage. To avoid the additional weight from conventional shoe trees,individuals use other means to provide support and preserve the shape oftheir shoes from getting crushed, such as stuffing the shoe withclothing articles, newspaper, plastic, and the like. Some of theproblems resulting from using these other means is that the clothingarticles, newspaper, and plastic may not be sufficiently strong enoughto resist the force applied to the shoe, they are not designedspecifically to preserve the shape of the shoe so deforming may stilloccur, and the articles may take on the odor of the inside of the shoe.In addition to the added weight, the conventional wooden or other stiffshoe trees are not able to pack or store in a flatter configuration toutilize less space when not in use.

Plastic shoe trees are known in the art. These plastic shoe trees do notprovide support to the entire upper of the shoe. The plastic shoe treesare easily collapsible such that with pressure applied onto the shoe,such as the shoe upper, the shoes are left vulnerable to easilydeforming. Inflatable shoe trees are also known in the art. Theseinflatable shoe trees need to be inflated prior to use and deflatedprior to storage. The problem with the inflatable shoe trees is thatthey do not easily adapt to different shoe styles or contours, they maynot resist the force applied onto them resulting in the inflatable shoetree bursting, the inflatable shoe trees are susceptible to leaking andthus reducing the amount of support they provide a shoe upper, theyfirst have to be inflated prior to their use, and deflated prior tostorage.

What is needed is a lightweight shoe insert to minimize the weight addedto luggage. What is needed is an insert which can conform to theinterior of a shoe upper and provide support, such that the shoe uppermay retain its general shape. What is needed is an insert which isresilient and able to withstand repetitive deformation. What is neededis an insert which may be easily stored and utilize minimal space. Whatis needed is a shoe insert which can quickly transform from a smaller,storage configuration to a configuration which provides support to ashoe upper. What is needed is an insert which can be purchased at anaffordable cost.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to an insert comprising: a unitary bodymade of a flat material, the unitary body having: a forefoot portion; arearfoot portion extending from the forefoot portion; a continuousperipheral wall about the unitary body; an upper surface; and a bottomsurface opposing the upper surface; wherein the insert is adapted to beinserted into a shoe and provide support to an upper surface of a shoe.

In some preferred embodiments, the insert according to the teachingsherein may further comprise a flexible material. In some preferredembodiments, the insert according the teachings herein may include oneor more collar extensions. In some preferred embodiments, the insertaccording to the teachings herein may include a first configuration anda second configuration. In the first configuration, the insert may beflat and in the second configuration the insert may conform to thecontours of an upper surface of a shoe. In some preferred embodiments,the insert according to the teachings herein may include one or morecut-outs which may facilitate repetitive deforming of the insert. Insome preferred embodiments, the flat material of the insert may becomprised of a foam plank.

The teachings herein provide methods of using the insert describedherein, and also methods of producing the insert described herein.

The insert of the present disclosure provides a lightweight shoe insertwhich may be flat and take on the contour of the shoe. The presentdisclosure provides a shoe insert which may provide support a shoe upperso that the shoe upper may retain its general shape under externalforces. The present disclosure provides an insert which is resilient andis able to withstand repetitive deformation. The present disclosureprovides an insert which may be placed in a first configuration toremain flat, such as to pack in luggage or for storage and a secondconfiguration, which may be used to provide support of a shoe. Thepresent disclosure provides an insert which is easily manufactured for alow cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insert in accordance with the presentteachings with a forefoot portion in the forefront.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insert in accordance with the presentteachings with a rearfoot portion in the forefront.

FIG. 3 is an orthographic view of an insert in accordance with thepresent teachings.

FIG. 4 is an orthographic view of an insert in accordance with thepresent teachings.

FIG. 5 is an orthographic view of a top of an insert in accordance withthe present teachings.

FIG. 6 is an orthographic view of a side of an insert in accordance withthe present teachings.

FIG. 7 is an orthographic view of a rearfoot portion of an insert inaccordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 8 illustrates an insert in accordance with the present teachingsinserted into an exemplary conventional shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended toacquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles,and its practical application. Accordingly, the specific embodiments ofthe present disclosure as set forth are not intended as being exhaustiveor limiting of the invention. The scope of the invention should,therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description,but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, includingpatent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference forall purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleanedfrom the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated byreference into this written description.

The present teachings relate to an insert which is adapted for usewithin a shoe, provides support to the shoe upper, and prevents the shoeupper from deforming when external forces are applied onto the shoe. Theinsert comprises a unitary body having a forefoot portion and a rearfootportion. The insert has a continuous peripheral wall about the peripheryof the insert. The insert comprises an upper surface opposing a bottomsurface.

The insert may further comprise any one or more of the featuresdescribed in this specification in any combination, including thepreferences and examples listed in this specification, and includes thefollowing features: the flat material may be flexible; the unitary bodymay include a longitudinal axis extending from the forefoot portion tothe rearfoot portion; the forefoot portion may include a toe portion inwhich the continuous peripheral wall may have a rounded contour; therearfoot portion may include a collar extension on an opposing end ofthe unitary body as the toe portion; the collar extension may extend atan angle away from the longitudinal axis; the rearfoot portion mayincludes two collar extensions on opposing sides of the longitudinalaxis; the rearfoot portion may include a cut-out; the cut-out mayinclude a longitudinal bend cut-out; the longitudinal bend cut-out mayform a concave contour in the continuous peripheral wall at an end ofthe rearfoot portion opposing the toe portion; the cut-out may include acollar extension cut-out; the collar extension cut-out may be disposedbetween the longitudinal bend cut-out and the collar extension; thecut-out may include two of the collar extension cut-outs, and each ofthe two collar extension cut-outs may be disposed on an opposing side ofthe longitudinal bend cut-out; the forefoot portion may be positionablewithin a toe box of a shoe and under an upper surface of a shoe; theforefoot portion may be positionable under a vamp of an upper surface ofthe shoe; the flat material at the forefoot portion may be deformable soas to adapt to the contour of the vamp and may provide support to anupper surface of a shoe along the length of the vamp; the forefootportion may be deformable so that when the forefoot portion is insertedunder the vamp, the upper surface at the forefoot portion may deforminto a convex contour and the bottom surface at the forefoot portion maydeform into a concave contour; the flat material at the forefootportion, the rearfoot portion, or both may be deformable so as to adaptto the contour of at least a portion of a quarter of the upper surfaceof the shoe and may provide support to the quarter; the rearfoot portionmay be positionable within a collar of an upper surface of the shoe; theflat material at the at the rearfoot portion may be deformable so as toadapt to a contour of the quarter, a collar of the shoe, a backstay ofthe shoe, a counter of the shoe, or a combination thereof and mayprovide support to the quarter, the collar, the heel portion, thecounter, or a combination thereof; the collar extension cut-out mayallow the collar extension to bend at an angle offset from thelongitudinal axis; the two collar extensions may deform and bend so thatthe rearfoot portion may conform to the elliptical shape of the collar;the insert may a first configuration and a second configuration; in thefirst configuration, the insert may be flat; in the secondconfiguration, the insert may deform to the contours of an upper surfaceof a shoe; the flat material may comprises a foam plank; the flatmaterial may comprise a polyethylene foam plank.

The insert may comprise a unitary body. The unitary body may providesupport to a shoe upper. The unitary body may be flexible so that it maydeform. For example, upon insertion into a shoe, the unitary body maytake on the general shape of the shoe upper. The unitary body may have afirst configuration and a second configuration. In the firstconfiguration, the unitary body may be flat. In the secondconfiguration, the unitary body may resemble the general shape of a shoeupper. The unitary body may be comprised of a flexible material. Theunitary body may include a forefoot portion, a rearfoot portion, orboth. The unitary body may comprise one or more cut-outs. The insert,such as the unitary body may include a longitudinal axis extending fromthe forefoot portion to the rearfoot portion. The insert may besymmetrical about the longitudinal axis. The unitary body be have asubstantially continuous thickness or variable thickness. Preferably,the unitary body has a substantially continuous thickness. The unitarybody may have a thickness of equal to or greater than about 0.25 cm,preferably equal to or greater than about 0.5 cm, and more preferablyequal to or greater than about 1 cm. The unitary body may have athickness of equal to or less than about 3 cm, preferably equal to orless than about 2.5 cm, and more preferably equal to or less than about2 cm.

The insert may comprise a forefoot portion. The forefoot portion may bea portion of the unitary body. The forefoot portion may providestructural support to one or more portions of a shoe upper, prevent oneor more portions of a shoe upper from deforming from external forces, orboth, such that the shoe upper maintains a desired shape. For example,the forefoot portion may provide support to a toe box, a vamp, aquarter, a tongue, the like, or a combination thereof. The forefootportion may have any size and shape to fit within the forefoot portionof a shoe upper to provide structural support, prevent the shoe upperfrom deforming, or both. The forefoot portion may have width. The widthmay be continuous or may differ along the length of the insert.Preferably, the width of the forefoot portion is narrower at theforemost portion of the insert as compared to a wider width of theforefoot portion adjacent to a rearfoot portion. The width of theforefoot portion may be less than about 25 cm, preferably less thanabout 20 cm, and more preferably less than about 15 cm. The width of theforefoot portion may be greater than about 4 cm, preferably greater thanabout 5 cm, and more preferably greater than about 6 cm. The forefootportion may have a length less than, about equal to, or greater than thelength of at least a portion of the shoe upper. The forefoot portion mayhave a length greater than about 5 cm, preferably greater than about 7cm, more preferably greater than about 10 cm. The forefoot portion mayhave a length less than about 25 cm, preferably less than about 22 cm,more preferably less than about 20 cm. For example, the forefoot lengthmay be sufficiently small so that the insert may fit in and providesupport to a child's shoe or a woman's dress shoe or the forefoot lengthmay be large enough to fit into and provide support to a man's shoe. Theforefoot portion may have a length such that it extends from the toe boxor toe portion of the shoe upper, across the vamp of the shoe upper, andto the end of the tongue or start of the collar at the ankle opening ofthe shoe. The forefoot portion may be flexible so that upon insertioninto a shoe, the forefoot portion conforms to the general shape of oneor more portions of the shoe upper, such as the inside contour of thetoe box, the vamp, the quarter, or a combination thereof. For example,the upper surface of the unitary body at the forefoot portion may deforminto a generally convex shape and the bottom surface may deform into agenerally concave shape such as to mimic the general curvature of theforefoot portion of the shoe upper. The forefoot portion may comprise atoe portion.

The forefoot portion of the insert may comprise a toe portion. The toeportion may provide structural support to the toe box or toe portion ofa shoe upper, may allow the forefoot portion of the insert to beinserted as forward as possible within the shoe, allow the forefootportion to conform to the toe area or toe box of the shoe, or acombination thereof. The toe portion may be the first part of theunitary body which is inserted into the shoe. The toe portion may befirst inserted into a shoe through a shoe opening in a shoe collar. Thetoe portion may be come into contact with the front end of the toe boxor toe area of the shoe. The peripheral wall at the toe portion may becontoured, such as a rounded contour with a half circle orhalf-elliptical shape. The peripheral wall at the toe portion may have aradius. The radius of the peripheral wall at the toe portion may be anysize suitable such that the toe portion can fit within the inside of ashoe and provide structural support. The rounded contour of the toeportion may be centered with the longitudinal axis of the insert. Theradius of the rounded contour may be the distance from the longitudinalaxis to the peripheral wall at the rounded contour. For example, theradius may be smaller so that the insert may fit in a child's shoe or awoman's dress shoe or the radius may be larger to provide support to aman's shoe. The radius of the toe portion may be larger than about 2 cm,preferably larger than about 2.5 cm, and more preferably larger thanabout 3 cm. The radius of the toe portion may be smaller than about 12cm, preferably less than about 10 cm, more preferably less than about 8cm. The toe portion may be on at opposing end of the insert as arearfoot portion of the insert.

The insert may comprise a rearfoot portion. The rearfoot portion may bea portion of the unitary body. The rearfoot portion may extend from andbe opposing the forefoot portion. The rearfoot portion may providestructural support to one or more portions of a shoe upper, prevent oneor more portions of a shoe upper from deforming from external pressure,or both, such that the shoe upper maintains a desired shape. Forexample, the rearfoot portion may provide support to a quarter, acounter, a collar, a tongue, a backstay, a heel portion, the like, or acombination thereof. The rearfoot portion may have any size and shape tofit within the rearfoot portion of a shoe upper to provide structuralsupport, prevent the shoe upper from deforming, or both. The rearfootportion may conform to the general shape of the collar of the shoeupper. For example, the rearfoot portion may deform into a generallyelliptical shape such as that of a shoe collar. The rearfoot portion mayhave one or more extensions. The rearfoot portion may have one or morecut-outs. The one or more extensions, the one or more cut-outs, or bothmay allow the rearfoot portion to conform to the general shape of thecollar, such as a generally elliptical shape with an openingtherethrough.

The insert may comprise one or more extensions. The extensions mayinclude one or more collar extensions, such as two collar extensions.The extensions may be part of the rearfoot portion. The extensions maybe part of the unitary body. The extensions may extend away from thelongitudinal axis. The extensions may be parallel or offset at an angleto the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the extensions are at an acuteangle to the longitudinal axis. A first collar extension and a secondcollar extension may be symmetrically located on opposing sides of thelongitudinal axis. The angle of the extensions from the longitudinalaxis may facilitate deforming, such as bending, the one or moreextensions. The extensions may extend away from the forefoot portion.The extensions may be integral with the unitary body where the forefootportion transitions to the rearfoot portion. The extensions may conformto the general shape of a portion of the shoe upper, such as the collar,quarter, backstay, counter, tongue, a general shape of the shoe opening,the like, or a combination thereof. The extensions may be on the end ofthe unitary body opposing the toe portion. The extensions may have anysize or shape such as to conform to the general shape of the shoe upper,such as shape of the collar. The extensions may have a length about lessthan, about equal to, or about greater than the diameter of the collaropening to a shoe. The extensions may have a length greater than about 5cm, preferably greater than about 7 cm, more preferably greater thanabout 8 cm. The extensions may have a length less than about 20 cm,preferably less than 15 cm, more preferably less than 13 cm. Theextensions may have a width about less than, about equal to, or aboutgreater than the distance from the shoe insole to the top of the shoecollar. The extensions may have a width about greater than 1 cm,preferably greater than about 2.5 cm, more preferably greater than about5 cm. The extensions may have a width less than about 12 cm, preferablyless than 10 cm, and more preferably less than about 8 cm.

The insert may comprise one or more cut-outs. The cut-outs may allow theinsert to repetitively deform, the cut-outs may help guide or facilitateone or more portions of the insert to conform the shoe upper, or acombination thereof. The cut-outs may facilitate the insert repetitivelydeforming without showing wear, tear, fatigue, overuse, damage, or thelike on the material of the insert. The cut-outs may be located in theforefoot portion, the rearfoot portion, or both. Preferably, thecut-outs are located in the rearfoot portion. One or more of thecut-outs may be located between one or more extensions. Preferably, oneor more cut-outs are located between two collar extensions. One or morecut-outs may be a longitudinal bend cut-out. One or more cut-outs may bea collar extension cut-out.

The insert may comprise a longitudinal bend cut-out. The longitudinalbend cut-out may allow the insert to repetitively deform, may guide oneor more portions of the insert to conform to forefoot of the shoe upper,may guide one or more portions of the insert to conform to the rearfootof the shoe upper, or a combination thereof. The longitudinal bendcut-out may facilitate the insert bending substantially symmetricallyalong the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal bend cut-out mayfacilitate the rearfoot portion deforming or bending in an opposingdirection the forefoot portion. For example, the longitudinal bendcut-out may facilitate the one or more collar extensions bending insubstantially the same plane as a collar of a shoe while the forefootportion bends at substantially the same plane as the forefoot or vamp ofa shoe. The longitudinal bend cut-out may have any suitable size andshape. The longitudinal bend cut-out may have a rounded, elliptical,circular shape, half-moon shape. The longitudinal bend cut-out may havea radius. The radius may be the distance from the longitudinal axis tothe peripheral wall at the longitudinal bend cut-out. The longitudinalcut-out may have a radius less than about 5 cm, preferably less thanabout 3 cm, more preferably less than about 2 cm. The longitudinalcut-out may have a radius greater than about 0.25 cm, preferably greaterthan about 0.5 cm, and more preferably greater than about 1.0 cm. Thelongitudinal bend cut-out may be located between one or more collarextensions. Preferably, the longitudinal bend cut-out is located betweena first collar extension and a second collar extension and centered withthe longitudinal axis.

The insert may comprise one or more collar extension cut-outs. The oneor more collar extensions cut-outs may allow one or more collarextensions to repetitively deform, may guide or facilitate the deformingor bending of one or more collar extensions, may facilitate the one ormore collar extensions deforming in an opposing direction as theforefoot portion. The one or more collar extensions cut-outs may includea first collar extension cut-out and a second collar extension cut-out.The one or more collar extension cut-outs may be located between thelongitudinal axis or longitudinal bend cut-out and one or more collarextensions. Preferably, a first collar extension cut-out is locatedbetween the first collar extension and the longitudinal bend cut-out.Preferably, a second collar extension cut-out is located between thesecond collar extension and the longitudinal bend cut-out. Preferably,if there is a plurality of the one or more collar extension cut-outs,the cut-outs are located symmetrically on opposing sides of thelongitudinal axis. The one or more collar extension cut-outs may form agenerally triangular or arc shape in the peripheral wall. The one ormore collar extension cut-outs may form a generally triangular openingor circular arc opening which narrows toward the forefoot portion andopens wider toward the rear of the insert. The one or more collarextensions cut-outs may have an angular contour in the peripheral wallwhich opens at an angle less than about 90 degrees, preferably less thanabout 75 degrees, and more preferably less than about 60 degrees. Theone or more collar extension cut-outs may have an angular contour in theperipheral wall which opens at an angle greater than about 5 degrees,preferably greater than about 15 degrees, and more preferably greaterthan 30 degrees. The one or more collar extensions cut-outs may have aradial opening, such as at a portion of the cut-out closest to the frontof the insert. The radial opening may have a diameter to allow theinsert to be folded along the centerline of the triangular openingwithout showing wear and tear at a corner of the triangle. The diameterof the radial cut-out may be less than about 1 cm, preferably less thanabout 0.8 cm, more preferably less than about 0.75 cm. The diameter ofthe radial cut-out may be greater than about 0.05 cm, preferably greaterthan about 0.1 cm, and more preferably greater than about 0.2 cm. Theone or more collar extension cut-outs may have a centerline. Thecenterline may be at an acute angle to a line perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis. The centerline may be at an angle less than about 90degrees to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, preferablyless than about 80 degrees, and more preferably less than 75 degrees.

The insert may have a first configuration and a second configuration. Inthe first configuration, the insert may be flat. In the secondconfiguration, the insert may be deformed so as to conform to the insidesurface of a shoe upper. The second configuration may resemble a shoeupper. In the second configuration, a forefoot portion may resemble thefront of a shoe upper and the rearfoot portion may resemble the rear ofa shoe upper. The first configuration may allow the insert to be easilytransportable when not in use, as it may lay flat in luggage. The secondconfiguration may allow the insert to provide structural support to ashoe upper.

The insert may comprise any material which is flexible, repeatedlydeformable, can provide structural support to a shoe upper, can bepositioned flat, can conform to the inside surface of a shoe upper, islightweight, or a combination thereof. The material may be any materialwhich after repetitive deformation does not show wear, tear, fatigue,overuse, damage, or the like. The material may be any material which iseasily customizable by a consumer, such as to fit inside a shoe. Forexample, the material may be easy to cut with scissors such as to fit anarrower shoe. The material may be any lightweight material, such as toadd minimal weight to a shoe, to luggage when packed for travel, or acombination thereof. The insert may comprise any suitable polymer, suchas plastic, and preferably polyethylene. The insert may comprise foam.For example, the insert may be made of polyethylene foam. An exemplarypolyethylene foam is PolyPlank® EXT Engineered Foam Plank. The insertmay be comprised of a foam with a density equal to or greater than about1.5 pounds per cubic foot to a density equal to or less than 9 poundsper cubic foot. Preferably, the insert is comprised of a foam with adensity equal to or greater than about 2 pounds per cubic foot to adensity equal to or less than 6 pounds per cubic foot. The material ofthe insert may be any suitable color. Preferably the color of the insertis one that does not show signs of use, marks, fingerprints, and thelike. For example, the material of the insert may be a gray or charcoalcolor. The material of the insert may be any material which can resistan external force or mass applied to a shoe such that the shoe upper maysubstantially retain its general shape. The material of the insert maybe any material which can resist about equal to or greater than 5 kg ofmass applied to the shoe upper, preferably about equal to or greaterthan 10 kg, and more preferably about equal to or greater than 15 kg.

The present teachings relate to a method of using an insert according tothe teachings herein to provide support to a shoe upper, such that theshoe upper may substantially retain its shape when external pressure isapplied to the shoe upper. The method of use may include obtaining aninsert. The insert may have a unitary body which may be made of a flatand/or flexible material. Initially, the insert may be in a firstconfiguration and may be transition into a second configuration. Thefirst configuration may be flat and the second configuration may allowthe insert to adapt to the contours of a shoe. In the secondconfiguration, the insert may be disposed within a shoe and providesupport to the shoe. The second configuration may resemble a shoe upper.To transition from the first configuration to the second configuration,the one or more collar extensions may be folded to form an ellipticalshape resembling a shoe collar. To transition from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration, the forefoot portion may befolded to resemble the contour of a shoe upper, such as a vamp, toe box,quarter, or a combination thereof. Using the insert may includeinserting the insert into a shoe in the second configuration. To placethe insert, the insert may be first inserted into a shoe by inserting atoe portion through a shoe opening, such as the opening of a shoecollar. To place the insert, a toe portion may be slid towards a toe boxof a shoe. When the insert is inserted into a shoe, the forefoot portionmay provide support to a shoe upper, such as the forefoot of the shoeupper and the rearfoot portion may provide support to a shoe upper, suchas the rearfoot of the shoe upper. For example, the forefoot portion mayprovide support to a vamp, a tongue, a quarter, a toe box, or acombination thereof. The forefoot portion, such as the toe portion mayprovide support to a toe box. The one or more collar extensions may beplaced within a shoe opening. The one or more collar extensions mayconform to the generally elliptical shape of a shoe opening. Therearfoot portion may provide support to a quarter, a collar, a backstay,a counter, a heel portion, a tongue, or a combination thereof. The oneor more collar extensions by conforming to the generally ellipticalshape of the shoe opening may provide support to a quarter, a collar, abackstay, a counter, a heel portion, or a combination thereof.

The present teachings relate to a method of making an insert accordingto the teachings herein, which may provide support to shoe upper, suchthat the shoe upper may substantially retain its shape when externalpressure is applied to the shoe upper. The method of use may includeobtaining a material. The material may be any material which isflexible, repeatedly deformable, can provide structural support to ashoe upper, can be positioned flat, can conform to the inside surface ofa shoe upper, is lightweight, or a combination thereof. The material maybe any material which can form a unitary body. The material may be anysuitable polymer, such as plastic, and preferably polyethylene. Thematerial may be any suitable foam. For example, the may be apolyethylene foam. The method may include forming the material into aninsert, such as by forming the unitary body of the insert. The methodmay include forming a forefoot portion integral with the rearfootportion. The material may take the shape of the insert by any suitablemeans, such as molding, form molding, vacuum forming, cutting,die-cutting, water jet cutting, stamping, extruding, the like, or anycombination thereof. The method may include placing the insert inpackaging, such as commercial retail packaging.

Illustrative Embodiments

The following descriptions of the Figures are provided to illustrate theteachings, but are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insert 10. The insert 10 is shown ina first configuration 100. In the first configuration 100, the insert 10is substantially flat. The insert 10 comprises a unitary body 11. Theinsert 10 is made of a flat material which is flexible. The insert 10includes a forefoot portion 12 and a rearfoot portion 14. The insert 10includes a peripheral wall 16. The peripheral wall 16 is continuousabout the perimeter of the insert 10. The insert 10 includes an uppersurface 18 and an opposing bottom surface 20 (not shown). The forefootportion 12 includes a toe portion 24 at the foremost end of the insert10. The toe portion 24 is defined by a rounded contour 26 of theperipheral wall 16. The rearfoot portion 14 includes a collar extension28. The collar extension 28 is comprised of a first collar extension 30and a second collar extension 32. The rearfoot portion 14 includes oneor more cut-outs 34. The cut-outs 34 may facilitate bending of theinsert 10 from a first configuration 100 to a second configuration 200(not shown) and back to the first configuration 100 a multitude oftimes.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insert 10. The insert 10 is shown ina first configuration 100. The insert 10 includes a forefoot portion 12and a rearfoot portion 14. The insert 10 is comprised of a unitary body11. The unitary body 11 is made of a substantially flat material. Theflat material has a substantially continuous thickness so that aperipheral wall 16 may have a continuous height about the periphery ofthe insert 10. The flat material may be flexible so that the insert 10may transition from the first configuration 100 to a secondconfiguration 102 (not shown). The insert 10 includes a toe portion 24which is defined by a rounded contour 26 of the peripheral wall 16. Thetoe portion 24 is part of the forefoot portion 12. The toe portion 24 ison opposite end of the insert 10 as a collar extension 28. The collarextension 28 is part of the rearfoot portion 14. The rearfoot portion 14includes cut-outs 34 between a first collar extension 30 and a secondcollar extension 32.

FIG. 3 is an orthographic view of an insert 10 with the forefoot portion12 in the foreground. The rearfoot portion 14 has a greater width thanthe forefoot portion 12. The forefoot portion 12 includes a toe portion24. The toe portion 24 is defined by a rounded contour 26 of theperipheral wall 16. The insert 10 includes an upper surface 18 opposinga bottom surface 20. The height of the peripheral wall 16 is thedistance between the upper surface 18 and the bottom surface 20. Theinsert 10 has a substantially continuous thickness such that the heightof the peripheral wall 16 is substantially uniform throughout the insert10.

FIG. 4 is an orthographic view of an insert 10 with the rearfoot portion14 in the foreground. One or more cut-outs 34 are located in therearfoot portion 14. The one or more cut-outs 34 are locatedsubstantially centrally among the width of the rearfoot portion 14. Theone or more cut-outs 34 are located between a first collar extension 30and a second collar extension 32.

FIG. 5 is an orthographic view from a top surface 18 of an insert 10.The insert 10 includes a longitudinal axis 22 extending from a forefootportion 12 to a rearfoot portion 14. The insert 10 is substantiallysymmetrical about the longitudinal axis 22. The forefoot portion 12narrows in width towards the toe portion 24. The forefoot portion 12 hasthe greatest width W_(F1) at the rearmost portion of the forefootportion 12. The rearmost portion of the forefoot portion 12 is where theforefoot portion 12 transitions into the rearfoot portion 14. Theforefoot portion 12 has a smaller width W_(F2) closer to the foremostportion of the insert 10. The forefoot portion 12 has a smaller widthW_(F2) where the peripheral wall 16 begins to have a curved contour 26at the toe portion 24 than at the rearmost portion of the forefootportion 12. The forefoot portion 12 includes a toe portion 24. The toeportion 24 is located at the foremost portion of the insert 10. Theperipheral wall 16 has a rounded contour 26 at the toe portion 24. Therounded contour 26 is centered at the longitudinal axis 22. The roundedcontour 26 has a radius R_(T). The radius R_(T) is the radial distancefrom the longitudinal axis 22 to the peripheral wall 16 at the roundedcontour 26. The rounded contour 26 begins at the narrowest or smallestwidth W_(F2) of the forefoot portion 12 before the peripheral wall 16curves to form the rounded contour 26. The rearfoot portion 14 extendsfrom the forefoot portion 12 towards the rearmost portion of the insert10. The rearfoot portion 14 includes collar extensions 28. The collarextensions 28 extend at an angle θ₃ from the longitudinal axis 22. Theperipheral wall 16 has an angled contour having an angle θ₄ where theperipheral wall transitions from the forefoot portion 12 to the rearfootportion 14. Both angles θ₃, θ₄ of the collar extensions 28 facilitatebending or flexing the one or more collar extensions 28, such as intothe second configuration 102 (not shown). The collar extensions 28 haveends 31, 33 at the rearmost portion of the insert 10. In the secondconfiguration 102 (not shown), the collar extensions 28 may be deformedsuch that the one or more collar extensions 28 form a generallyelliptical shape about the longitudinal axis and the ends 31, 33 maycome closer to one another, may touch, or may overlap.

FIG. 6 is an orthographic view from a side 21 of an insert 10. Theinsert 10 includes a forefoot portion 12 and a rearfoot portion 14. Theforefoot portion 12 include a toe portion 24 at the foremost portion ofthe insert 10. The insert 10 includes an upper surface 18 opposing abottom surface 20. The height of the peripheral wall 16 is the distancebetween the upper surface 18 and the bottom surface 20. The insert 10has a substantially continuous thickness such that the height of theperipheral wall 16 is substantially the same throughout the insert 10.

FIG. 7 illustrates one or more cut-outs 34 of an insert 10. The one ormore cut-outs 34 are located at a rearfoot portion 14 of the insert. Theone or more cut-outs 34 includes a longitudinal bend cut-out 36 and oneor more collar extension cut-outs 38. The longitudinal bend cut-out 36facilitates the insert 10 symmetrically flexing or bending along thelongitudinal axis 22. The longitudinal bend cut-out 36 may facilitatethe insert 10 bending symmetrically along the longitudinal axis 22. Theone or more collar extension cut-outs 38 includes a first collarextension cut-out 40 and a second collar extension cut-out 42. The oneor more collar extension cut-outs 38 form an angular contour θ1 in theperipheral wall 16. The one or more collar extension cut-outs 38 includea center-line 39. The center-line 39 are located at an angle θ₂ from aline perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 22. The center-line 39 isangled toward the longitudinal axis 22. The one or more collar extensioncut-outs 38 include one or more radial cut-outs 41, 43 forming a radialcontour in the peripheral wall 16. The one or more radial cut-outs 41are at a portion of the one or more collar extension cut-outs 38 closestto the forefoot portion 12 of the insert 10. The one or more radialcut-outs 41 have a diameter D₁. The one or more collar extensioncut-outs 38, including the first collar extension cut-out 40, the secondcollar extension cut-out 42, the one or more radial cut-out 41, 43, theradial cut-out diameter D₁, and the angular opening θ₁ cooperatetogether to facilitate the bending of the one or more collar extensions28, such as the ends 31, 33 (not shown) of the collar extensions 28 maybend towards one another, touch one another, or overlap one another.

FIG. 8 illustrates an insert 10 positioned within an exemplaryconventional shoe 44. The insert 10 is in a second configuration 102.The shoe 44 includes a shoe upper 46. The shoe upper 46 includes a shoeforefoot 66 in front of a collar opening 62. The shoe upper 46 includesa shoe rearfoot 68 from behind the shoe forefoot 66 to the heel portion60 at the rear end of the shoe 44. The shoe upper 46 includes a toeportion or a toe box 48 at the front of the shoe 44. The toe box 48 maycover a shoe wearer's toes (not shown). The shoe upper 46 includes avamp 50 along the top of the shoe upper 46. The vamp 50 may cover a shoewearer's foot (not shown) along a portion between the wearer's toes (notshown) and where the wearer's legs connect to the foot (not shown). Theshoe upper 46 includes a quarter 52. The quarter 52 may be the portionof the shoe upper 46 that covers the sides and the back of a shoewearer's foot (not shown). The shoe upper 46 includes a shoe collar 54.The shoe collar 54 may be the portion of the shoe upper 46 that formsthe rim about the collar opening 62 through which a wearer inserts hisfoot (not shown) into the shoe 46. The shoe upper 46 may include a shoebackstay 56 and/or a shoe counter 58 which may provide additionalsupport to the shoe heel portion 60 at the rear of the shoe 44.

FIG. 8 illustrates how the insert 10 in the second configuration 102allows the insert 10 to adapt to the contours of the shoe 44. In thesecond configuration 102, the insert 10 is disposed within the shoe 44.In the second configuration 102, the insert 10 provides support to theshoe upper 46. The insert 10 provides support to the shoe 44 so that ifan external pressure F_(E) is applied to the shoe upper 46, the shoe 44and shoe upper 46 retain their general shape. In the secondconfiguration 102, the insert resembles the shoe upper 46. In the secondconfiguration 102, the one or more collar extensions 28 are folded andbend to form an elliptical shape resembling the collar 54. The forefootportion 12 is bent to resemble the contour of a shoe upper 46, such asthe shape of the vamp 50 and the toe box 48.

The insert 10 is located within a shoe 44 to provide support. The insert10 is first inserted into the shoe 44 by inserting the toe portion 24through the collar opening 62 defined by the shoe collar 54. The toeportion 24 is slid towards the toe box 48. When the insert 10 isinserted into the shoe 44, the forefoot portion 12 rests below the shoeupper 46. The forefoot portion 12 rests below and provides support forthe vamp 50, the tongue 64, and the toe box 48. The toe portion 24 mayspecifically provide support for the toe box 48 by extending into thetoe box 48. After the forefoot portion 12 is inserted, the collarextensions 28 are placed within the collar opening 62. The collarextensions 28 are bent to take on the general shape of the shoe collar54, quarter 52, and heel portion 60. The collar extensions 28 conform tothe generally elliptical shape of the shoe opening 62 defined by theshoe collar 54. The rearfoot portion 14 provides support to the quarter52, the collar 54, a backstay 56, a counter 58, a heel portion 60, atongue 64, or any combination thereof. The one or more collar extensions28 by conforming to the generally elliptical shape of the shoe opening62 may provide support to the quarter 52, the collar 54, the backstay56, a counter 58, a heel portion 60, or a combination thereof.

Any numerical values recited in the above application include all valuesfrom the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unitprovided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between anylower value and any higher value. These are only examples of what isspecifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical valuesbetween the lowest value, and the highest value enumerated are to beconsidered to be expressly stated in this application in a similarmanner. Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints andall numbers between the endpoints. The term “consisting essentially of”to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients,components, or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients,components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristics of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or“including” to describe combinations of elements, ingredients,components, or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consistessentially of the elements, ingredients, components, or steps.

Plural elements, ingredients, components, or steps can be provided by asingle integrated element, ingredient, component, or step.Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component, orstep might be divided into separate plural elements, ingredients,components, or steps. The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe anelement, ingredient, component, or step is not intended to forecloseadditional elements, ingredients, components, or steps.

1. An insert comprising: a unitary body made of a flat material which isflexible, the unitary body having: a) a forefoot portion; b) a rearfootportion extending from the forefoot portion; c) a continuous peripheralwall about the unitary body; d) an upper surface; and e) a bottomsurface opposing the upper surface; wherein the insert is adapted to beinserted into a shoe and provide support to an upper surface of a shoe.2. The insert of claim 1, wherein the unitary body includes alongitudinal axis extending from the forefoot portion to the rearfootportion about which the unitary body is substantially symmetrical. 3.The insert of claim 1, wherein the forefoot portion includes a toeportion in which the continuous peripheral wall has a rounded contour.4. The insert of claim 3, wherein the rearfoot portion includes two ormore collar extensions on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of theunitary body and on an opposing end of the unitary body as the toeportion.
 5. The insert of any of claim 4, wherein the two or more collarextension extend at an angle away from the longitudinal axis of theunitary body.
 6. The insert of claim 5, wherein the rearfoot portionincludes one or more cut-outs.
 7. The insert of any of claim 6, whereinthe one or more cut-outs includes a longitudinal bend cut-out adapted toallow the insert to bend substantially symmetrical about thelongitudinal axis.
 8. The insert of claim 7, wherein the longitudinalbend cut-out is a concave contour in the continuous peripheral wall atan end of the rearfoot portion opposing the toe portion.
 9. The insertof claim 7, wherein the one or more cut-outs include two collarextension cut-outs adapted to allow the two or more collar extensions tobend away from the forefoot portion.
 10. The insert of any claim 9,wherein each of the two collar extension cut-outs is disposed betweenthe longitudinal bend cut-out and one of the two or more collarextensions.
 11. The insert of claim 5, wherein the flat material at theforefoot portion is deformable so as to adapt to the contour of a vampof the shoe and provide support to the upper surface along a length ofthe vamp.
 12. The insert of claim 11, wherein the forefoot portion isdeformable so that when the forefoot portion is inserted under the vamp,an upper surface of the insert at the forefoot portion deforms into aconvex contour and a bottom surface opposing the upper surface deformsinto a concave contour.
 13. The insert of claim 12, wherein the flatmaterial at the forefoot portion, the rearfoot portion, or both isdeformable so as to adapt to the contour of at least a portion of aquarter of the upper surface of the shoe and provide support to thequarter.
 14. The insert of claim 13, wherein the flat material at the atthe rearfoot portion is deformable so as to adapt to a contour of thequarter, a collar of the shoe, a backstay of the shoe, a counter of theshoe, or a combination thereof and provide support to the quarter, thecollar, a heel portion, the counter, or a combination thereof.
 15. Theinsert of claim 14, wherein the two or more collar extensions are ableto deform and bend so that the rearfoot portion is adapted to conform toa generally elliptical shape of the collar.
 16. The insert of claim 1,wherein the insert is able to deform into a first configuration and asecond configuration; wherein in the first configuration, the insert isflat; and wherein in the second configuration, the insert is bent toresemble contours of the upper surface of the shoe and is adapted toprovide support for the upper surface of the shoe.
 17. The insert ofclaim 1, wherein the flat material comprises a foam plank.
 18. Theinsert of claim 17, wherein the foam plank comprises a polyethylene foamplank.
 19. A method of using the insert of claim 4 to provide support tothe shoe, wherein the method includes: a) inserting the insert into theshoe; b) locating the forefoot portion under a forefoot of the shoe anddeforming the forefoot portion to resemble a shape of the upper surfaceof the shoe forward of a collar; c) locating the rearfoot portion withinan opening of the shoe defined by a collar of the shoe and deforming thetwo or more collar extensions to resemble a shape of the collar.
 20. Aninsert comprising: a unitary body made of a flat and flexible material,the unitary body having: a) a forefoot portion; b) a rearfoot portionextending from the forefoot portion; c) a longitudinal axis extendingfrom the forefoot portion to the rearfoot portion about which theunitary body is substantially symmetrical; d) a continuous peripheralwall about the unitary body; e) a toe portion which is part of theforefoot portion where the continuous peripheral wall has a roundedcontour; f) two or more collar extensions part of the rearfoot portionon an opposing end of the unitary body as the toe portion, wherein thetwo or more collar extensions extend away from the longitudinal axis;and g) an upper surface opposing a bottom surface; and wherein theinsert is able to deform into a first configuration and a secondconfiguration, wherein in the first configuration the insert is flat andin the second configuration the insert is bent to generally resemble ashape of an upper surface of a shoe; and wherein the insert is adaptedto be inserted into the shoe and provide support to an upper surface ofa shoe when in the second configuration.